Collection stations for non-perishable food will be located throughout the UCF Arena during the 7 p.m. game. Those who donate a can of food will receive a free ticket to an upcoming UCF Men’s Baseball game.
The food drive is part of the College of Medicine’s recent sponsorship of the UCF-Rice men’s basketball game on January 22. As a sponsor, the College of Medicine received announcements throughout the game, had its image on the jumbotron and had posters and informational material throughout the arena. During the game, Dean Deborah German, vice president for medical affairs, and her father, Pat Campano, received the game ball. Dr. German was also interviewed at half-time by Marc Daniels, the play-by-play radio voice of the Knights for UCF Sports Network from IMG College.
More than 730,000 people received food assistance through Second Harvest in 2009, an increase of 152 percent from 2006. Forty-seven percent of the members of households served by the organization are children.
Second Harvest accepts all non-perishable food but is especially in need of higher-protein items, such as canned tuna, meats, meals in a can and beef stew, plus pasta, rice, canned vegetables, baby food and dry beans.
“Hunger is a serious problem in our community and it’s made worse by our devastating economy,” said Dr. German. “We hope this food drive will help ease some of the pain our neighbors face each day as they battle hunger.”